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Brisbane rental markets soften as regional Queensland rises

26 October 2017 Reporter

The REIQ has released its September quarter vacancy rate data, revealing a general tightening in the regional areas and an easing in the metros.

Overall, Brisbane moved from 3.3 per cent to 3.6 per cent. The Brisbane inner ring (0–5km) edged from a healthy 3.5 per cent last quarter to 3.7 per cent this quarter. The middle ring (5–20km) eased from 3.1 per cent to 3.4 per cent.

“Brisbane has undergone an incredible transformation, with unprecedented levels of apartment supply coming onto the market in the inner and middle rings over the past few years,” the CEO said.

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“We are starting to see the impact of that supply as it finally catches up to high levels of pent-up demand.

“We are confident that this will be brief because Queensland’s population is continuing to grow, particularly in the southeast corner, and growing population means growing demand for housing.”

In regional Queensland, the number of weak markets fell from 10 in the June quarter to six in the September quarter.

“For so long, many rental markets in regional Queensland have been weak. Now, we have just six weak regional markets and those weak markets have shown real improvements,” Ms Mercorella said.

“These markets are showing the green shoots of recovery and there is reason to be optimistic about the future of the property market in regional Queensland.”

Tight

The Gold Coast vacancy rate eased by 0.2 percentage points to 1.9 per cent. This market remains in the tight range, with demand for rental accommodation outstripping supply.

The Sunshine Coast, incorporating Noosa and the Sunshine Coast, is a similarly tight market at 1.4 per cent. Caloundra Coast is the tightest market in the state, with vacancies at just 0.6 per cent.

“Tenants may struggle to secure rental accommodation in this region, and it is fair to say this area would benefit from additional supply being built to help improve market conditions,” Ms Mercorella said.

The Fraser Coast also tightened to 2.2 per cent.

Regional markets of Mackay and Rockhampton experienced the largest improvements, with vacancies falling by 1.7 percentage points each.

Mackay has moved from the weak range, with vacancies at 4.5 per cent last quarter, into the healthy range this quarter, with vacancies at 2.8 per cent.

Ms Mercorella said that this is a reflection of generally improving conditions in Mackay.

“Local agents have been telling us all year that this market is on the move. We are seeing evidence of this in rental data and also with the recent quarterly sales data.

“We see confidence returning to the market and this is encouraging. We’re optimistic [that] these improving conditions will continue.”

Rockhampton has reported its second consecutive quarterly fall to reach 5.5 per cent. This market is still operating in weak conditions; however, the trend is positive.

“We are hoping to soon see signs that this market is stabilising. It is encouraging to see vacancies falling and local agents reporting improving levels of demand for rental properties,” the REIQ CEO said.

Strong

Livingston is reporting similar vacancy levels, at 5.6 per cent. Apart from Gladstone, which has vacancies of 5.7 per cent, Livingston has the highest vacancy rate in Queensland.

“The good news is that in one quarter, Livingstone has fallen from 9.3 per cent to 5.6 per cent, which is a remarkable improvement,” Ms Mercorella said.

“This market has shown the single biggest improvement this quarter of all the markets we monitor.”

The Townsville market has reported its fourth consecutive fall in vacancies, to reach 4.3 per cent, its lowest level since September 2013.

“Technically, the rental market is still weak, with vacancies at 4.3 per cent, but there is a clearly established positive trend of four quarterly falls. We are hopeful that the sales market will soon echo the rental market’s positive direction.”

The tourism-based city of Cairns tightened from 1.8 per cent to 1.7 per cent. This is the tightest this market has been since 2012.